The experiences and perspectives of a Mzungu living on the lower slopes of Africa's highest peak.

Friday, November 19, 2010

Lake Ambussel - Camping and scorpion hunting in Massai Land

It was fortunate that the Swahili words for left, right and straight ahead were part of my limited vocabulary, because the traditionally attired Massai in the passenger seat beside me spoke not a word of English and he was guiding us on the final leg of the journey.

A spare seat in our 4x4 had resulted in my promotion to Leader of the Convoy.The road was a dust track woven between thorned acacia bushes, a plant so fiercely barbed that the Massai use them to build their enkangs – tangled enclosures that serve as goat pens or protective rings around groups of huts.Even lions will not attempt to breach such a vicious fortress.

We had already wound our way through the Lelatema mountains where the track had crept across rocky outcrops and dived down steep banks into dried up river beds.But most of the way we splashed through deep, red dirt, which swelled over the bonnet in auburn waves when we plunged into the many deep, dust-filled ruts.

Our destination was LakeAmbussel, a 20 kilometre squared expanse of flat, salty silt, parched to a crunchy mosaic crust.Once upon a time, I guess the presence of water, at least on a seasonal basis, must have given the arid salt pan its name.But a change in climate, or simply a build up of sediment, has pushed the water table deep underground.Now, although mirages glimmer far out on the baked surface and occasional, shallow sink holes suggest underground trickles, there is no water to be seen.

It was a bleak spot indeed.We had seen little wildlife and it was over an hour since we’d passed a village.Even insect life was sparse.But, although there was not a green leaf to be seen anywhere, ornate blossoms decorated some of the small trees that peppered the landscape.

Tree growth here is perennially stunted by the scorching heat and parched climate but their incongruous blooms were clear evidence that this barren land would soon change dramatically.Flowering right at the end of the dry season gives their seeds a valuable head start when the rains finally give the land a brief respite from near permanent dehydration.

This isolated spot was the venue for the 200th Kilimanjaro Dirt Road Hash, a fortnightly run through the lesser trodden byways of Moshi’s rural hinterland.It was too far off the beaten track to drive back that evening so we were going to camp.Not only were we in one of the least hospitable landscapes I had ever visited, a three hour gruelling drive from anything resembling civilisation, we were staying the night!

Why do we do such things?It certainly makes no sense to most Tanzanians: with an average per capita income of less than a dollar a day, every journey has a clear purpose. You go out to buy meat, fetch water or visit a sick relative; you don’t simply venture off on foot or by bike, much less in a car, for an excursion.

Which emphasises how fortunate we are. Despite working hard on a day-to-day basis, we have the luxury of leisure, both in terms of time and pursuits.

And yes, the 200th Hash was fun.We camped in the dusty and hopelessly inadequate shade of an acacia bush. On the run itself we collected shells and bleached bones; relics from the lake’s fluid past and desiccated present.Later, by moonlight and armed with sharpened sticks, the children hunted scorpions in a place where, fortunately, they were unlikely to find any.Meanwhile, the adults listened nervously for yelps of pain whilst drinking and playing cards with a couple of Massai tribesmen.

If you've read this far then, like me, you are fortunate enough to enjoy the luxury of leisure. Kuwa na siku ya kufurahi - have a relaxing day.

Did you enjoy reading this post? Why not leave a comment?
Follow this blog to keep up to date with new posts, or share it with friends using one of the buttons below...

Jon's profile

Jon lived in Tanzania for four years with his wife and four young children. This is a journal written to share miscellaneous experiences of life in Africa.
By profession, Jon teaches high school science, physics and maths but he is also the author of the Backpacker Diaries website (link below) and has contributed travel articles for Simonseeks (http://bit.ly/JB-SS)
Previously, he has worked in Europe, South East Asia and the Middle East. He has travelled extensively in all those regions as well as to North America and Australia. He now lives in Newcastle, UK.
If you enjoy this blog, please add comments or share it with your friends.

Blogroll

Subscribe To This Blog

Follow by Email

Amazon Associates Programme

In the Shadow of Kilimanjaro participates in the Amazon EU Associates Programme, an affiliate advertising programme designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.In the Shadow of Kilimanjaro does not collect any visitor data. Amazon may serve content and advertisements, collect information directly from visitors, and place or recognize cookies on visitors’ browsers.